You must request a special service from the company before you will be charged. It will cost nothing to check the benefits the company offers without charges.

This site prov ides reverse directories. You have a telephone number of an individual, or businesses and you want more information about them, you enter the number in the proper window.

Langenberg also offers access to white pages, yellow pages, translations, a person finder, zip codes and area codes. A wealth of information is at your fingertips.

Milam County is producing more and more scam investigators.

The goal of Milam Count y TRIAD is to educate its members so that they are aware of tactics used by con artists and to arm the elderly with methods for finding truth in our wicked world.

This is happening as you are reading this article. It is a way to provide power to the good to fight evil.

It allows potential victims to take control and stand on solid ground and meet daily challenges face to face.

When phishermen/phisherwomen enter your home uninvited you can investigate the situation and avoid being hooked. (Pun intended).

Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas gives seniors several ways to safely avoid being hooked by scammers.

• Remember the one that made the first contact. If you order an item from a company, you know who you are dealing with.

If an outsider makes the initial contact, you have no idea who is on the other end or what they want from you.

• Look for the bait on the hook. It is usually a large sum of money. Everyone needs money. It might be a vacation. We are attracted to cruises and a visit to some island.

Another attractive bait is automobiles. But the bait could be a negative hunk of bait. A grandchild in need of immediate help or a threat on your life or the life of a loved one. Take note of it and do not overlook the obvious.

• Watch for attempts to get your personal data. If you are asked for bank account numbers, social security numbers, and specific data that identify you, you can be assured that a con artist is close.

Never give this information to a caller. Hang up and call the company or bank yourself.

• A con artist will ask for money up-front. Money to pay tax, or fees, or whatever to release the prize.

Usually you are instructed to wire this money or pay cash. You cannot stop payment on cash.

Repeat these over and over until you are familiar with these rules:

Who called who, identify the bait, protect your personal data, do not pay out money, and finally do not wire or use cash in these transactions.

Milam County TRIAD gave you the tools. Now go to work. Spread the word. Fight crime.